We've witnessed it for years on 'American Idol': as soon as audience voting begins, past scandals concerning the contestants start rearing their salacious heads, and it appears that 'The X Factor' will continue that trend.

According to Perez Hilton, popular "Over 30" contestant Stacy Francis hasn't been entirely honest about her musical past as she's progressed through the competition.

During the audition rounds, the single mother of two told the judges that she'd been unemployed for 12 years, but further investigation has reportedly uncovered a solid musical career that saw Francis singing alongside Madonna, Chaka Khan and Prince, as well as appearing in made-for-TV movies and Broadway shows.

According to her recently-deleted website, Francis has also enjoyed a contract with Warner Bros. Records and appeared on several television shows, including live performances on 'The Rosie O' Donnell Show,' 'Showtime At The Apollo,' and 'Soul Train.'

None of this would be particularly scandalous (since numerous 'Idol' contestants have courted controversy over past record deals) if Francis hadn't taken to Twitter to deny many of the accusations leveled at her, thereby whipping fans and gossipmongers into a frenzy.

She has denied touring with Chaka Khan, Madonna or Prince, and though her website would seem to confirm this (sort of -- we've included an excerpt below), it appears that Francis is arguing semantics rather than addressing the real issue of how much success she's enjoyed in the music industry, preferring to utilize the "sob story" angle that many auditionees use to stand out during the early rounds of singing contests:

"An ardent desire to perform in musical theater lead [sic] to a starring role opposite the legendary recording artist, Chaka Kahn in the West End production of "Mama I Want To Sing" in London. This afforded her the opportunity to perform at the Olivier Awards, Britain's equivalent to the American Tony Awards. Other noted performances include singing background vocals for Madonna and having the privilege of performing in concert beside Prince - he featured her with his band."

At this point, it seems that the outrage stems not from Francis' previous success, but from her attempts to downplay it -- but have the 'X Factor' producers encouraged her to hide her past simply to drum up audience sympathies? Would viewers be less inclined to vote for her, knowing that she's had a record deal or sung opposite renowned performers? It's impossible to say, but if Francis wants to limit the damage to her reputation, it might be advisable to acknowledge her past before asking viewers to judge her on her present situation.

'The X Factor' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on Fox. The contestants will sing for America's votes starting from tonight, and you can now vote via Twitter.

Do you think Francis' past music career matters to viewers, or should they judge her on her performances now?

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394 Comments

She is a lying no good man Hungary w----.....she tries to hang out with rich stars....she's a looser ....Whitney s ass looks better than her face ....and that huge ass mouth she has is so ugly.....can't stand her

I'm with you Debbie. I've met this B*%ch. She dog face ugly. Her speaking voice is unbarable. She lies about everything. She specialty is sleeping with married men, with no shame. Her breath always smells like d*^k and azz. Who in the world would ever hire this loser, let alone buy anything that she's screech on and tries to pawn off as a single. She's the Superhead of reality shows. Just more like a STUPID-HEAD. I can't stand the site of her.

She is a loser. I can't see why Whitney with her status would even consider spending 1 second with her let alone a few hours. She even admitted to being a Whitney groupie?, and just wanted to share Whitney's space. I am sure she was out of place at some point during the night listening to how she boast about being from the Bronx and she is some badassss from the ghetto. She just wanted to see how Whitney could help her career. I never heard of Stacey Francis until Whitney's death. I said who is she, I never heard of her. I just want her to know that she is now the most hated person among Whitney Fans at this time. I am sure that if Whitney even knew that she had just a few hours left on this earth, she would not have wasted her time. And anyway, Whitney could not have trusted her. She wish that she could taste and smell the success of Whitney Houston. Just another jealous bi**h.

She is a bitch who should keep her mouth shut about Whitney. She has some nerve even being in the same company with such a big star and then talk about it after. Anything for a buck or fame. Leave Whitney alone and get a life back in the hood.

She's just a desperate lying climber with a house full of fatherless bastards. Even Whitney's Manager said that she was stocking them that night in the club, trying to stand close enough to her to look like she belonged. Whitney had more talent in her toe nail that this wh(*re has in her whole body. And now she's had another baby by a married man. A Bishop. Karma is coming for her ugly ass. She'll go down hard.

STACEY FRANCIS IS A MEDIA *****....SHE IS A POOR EXCUSE OF A WOMAN....HOW COULD SHE SELL HER LIES ABOUT WHITNEY TO THE TABLOIDS. THIS WILL AND HAS HURT BOBBI KRIS....HOW DARE SHE DO THIS IN WHITNEY'S DEATH. WHY DID SHE NOT SAY THESE THINGS BEFORE WHITNEY DIED. MEDIA ***** MEDIA ***** MEDIA *****

big deal she lied....we all are not perfect....she has an amazing voice....she should go forward no matter what....as long as she is holding on to God.....there is nothing to hard for God to do in her life.

this girl sucks i know music i might only be 12 in a half but i know what music is and she aint got it she is also a dirty liar im goin on the x factor next year and if she goes back up there im gonna beat her so badly !!!!! TEAM ASTRO

mmmmm i like stacy does any know if she was in a one those plays recently.... but has any check out leroy bell he was big in the 70's check it out Both LeRoy Bell and Casey James had played in Special Blend before beginning to write songs together. Bell's uncle Thom Bell got them signed to Gamble & Huff as songwriters for Philadelphia International Records.[1] They wrote tunes for Elton John, MFSB, The O'Jays, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Freda Payne, Phyllis Hyman, The Three Degrees, and others, before A&M Records took notice and signed them to a full album deal in 1978.

Three albums and several hit singles followed, including "Livin' it Up (Friday Night)," which hit #7 on the U.S. Billboard Black singles, and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1979. It sold over one million copies in the U.S., plus the same track reached #59 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]